Somatic Therapy Techniques
Somatic and Body-Based Self-Regulation
McKinney, Texas
What does somatic mean?
"Somatics" comes from the Greek word “Soma” meaning “the living body known from within”, or known to the Self. With this, we can understand that somatic work is an experiential approach towards mind/body integration, or a remembrance of the connection between these two that have in fact always been there. Somatic psychology is known as a “bottom up” approach as opposed to a “top-down” model, which means that we literally use the body as a guide in our experience of of mind/body healing.
If you find that you’re always living in your head, chances are, your body may have a lot it’s been wanting to say too!
Healing Through the Wisdom of the Nervous System
Somatic techniques invite us to listen to the body — to understand how it carries the weight of our experiences, especially stress, trauma, chronic illness, and emotional overwhelm. Using a nervous system–based approach, we gently and holistically work with what’s stored in the body, so healing can unfold from the inside out.
Your body is not broken.
It’s intelligent.
It’s purposeful.
And it’s always doing its best to protect you.
At the heart of this work is the autonomic nervous system — the part of your body that runs in the background, guiding things like breath, heartbeat, digestion, and yes, even your sense of safety. This system is constantly scanning your environment, taking in every moment of your lived experience, and helping you respond — whether through action, stillness, or protection.
When life becomes overwhelming — whether from a major event or the slow buildup of stress — the nervous system does exactly what it’s designed to do: it steps in to help you survive. But sometimes, the body doesn’t get the signal that it’s safe to come out of survival mode. Instead, it stays “stuck” in a loop of protection.
Over time, this can show up as chronic anxiety, fatigue, emotional numbness, relationship difficulties, physical symptoms, or a general feeling of being "off" without knowing why.
Somatic techniques help unwind these patterns — not by forcing change, but by meeting the body with curiosity, care, and compassion. Together, we make space for healing that honors your whole system: mind, body, and nervous system.
What are Somatic Therapy Techniques?
Deep within our cells lives the subconscious language of our nervous system—a primal, sensitive, and neuroplastic network of sensory communication. Often overlooked, it is constantly signaling, urging us to listen.
We incorporate somatic techniques to complement traditional therapy. These approaches work with the body’s responses to emotions, helping release stored tension, regulate the nervous system, and address the root causes of emotional challenges.
By engaging the body in this way, we support processing emotions, reducing anxiety, and cultivating calm and groundedness—allowing for deeper emotional healing and balance.
Somatic Therapy Techniques We Use for Mind-Body Healing
Our somatic therapy approach is grounded in the belief that true healing happens through the body-mind connection. Using a collection of evidence-informed somatic practices, we help you release stored tension, regulate your nervous system, and respond to emotional triggers more adaptively. These techniques support emotional regulation, stress reduction, trauma recovery, and overall resilience, while deepening your awareness of the connection between your body and mind.
Somatic Therapy Techniques We Use At Acadia Psychotherapy
We integrate a variety of somatic practices to meet your individual needs and support healing at both the emotional and physical levels.
Body Awareness and Somatic Sensation
Learn to notice where stress, trauma, or emotional tension is stored in your body. Developing body awareness is a foundational step toward calming the nervous system and fostering self-regulation.
Conscious Breathwork for Regulation
Deep, mindful breathing exercises engage the body’s natural relaxation response. Breathwork reduces anxiety, supports emotional balance, and helps the nervous system return to a regulated state.
Grounding Techniques
Practical grounding exercises help you stay present, manage overwhelm, and reconnect with your body during moments of stress.
Mindful and Gentle Movement
Intentional, low-impact movements release physical tension, increase body-mind awareness, and support the processing of emotions.
Somatic Resourcing and Orienting
Use calming internal resources—such as soothing memories or imagery—to anchor your emotional state in times of distress and support nervous system regulation.
Tapping and Nervous System Support
Gentle tapping practices, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), reduce stress responses and reinforce a sense of safety in the body.
Alignment and Core Regulation
Techniques focused on postural alignment and core awareness improve structural ease, support stability, and enhance groundedness.
Containment and Centering Practices
Somatic exercises that cultivate inner safety, support emotional containment, and strengthen your ability to stay present during challenging moments.
Restorative Trauma-Informed Yoga
Trauma-sensitive and restorative yoga postures complement somatic therapy by releasing tension and promoting relaxation, body awareness, and emotional calm.
Vagal Tone and Autonomic Regulation
Exercises that stimulate the vagus nerve enhance the body’s natural relaxation response, supporting resilience to stress and improving emotional regulation.
Somatic and Body-Based Self-Regulation
A comprehensive collection of somatic practices designed to help you regulate your nervous system, respond to triggers more adaptively, and deepen your connection between body and mind.
Benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy Intervetions
Somatic psychotherapy helps you achieve:
Somatic psychotherapy supports healing by working directly with the body and nervous system, not just thoughts or emotions. By integrating body-based interventions, clients are supported in developing greater regulation, safety, and resilience over time.
Improved Emotional Regulation
Learn to regulate intense or overwhelming emotions through somatic techniques that help calm the nervous system and increase emotional stability.
Trauma Recovery and Nervous System Healing
Gently release stored trauma responses and chronic stress held in the body, supporting healing without the need to relive or retell traumatic experiences.
Increased Self-Awareness and Insight
Develop a deeper understanding of emotional patterns, triggers, and bodily sensations, strengthening your connection to yourself and your internal cues.
Greater Stress and Anxiety Management
Build practical, body-based tools to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm, allowing you to respond more effectively to life’s challenges.
Strengthened Mind-Body Connection
Enhance awareness of the mind-body connection to support long-term emotional well-being, resilience, and a greater sense of grounded presence.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Techniques?
Somatic psychotherapy is beneficial for individuals facing challenges such as:
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Chronic Pain and Tension
Relationship Difficulties
Life Transitions
Whether you're struggling with chronic anxiety, stress, or trauma recovery, somatic psychotherapy can help you address the root causes of your emotional and physical symptoms.
Integrating Somatic Therapy Techniques | McKinney, Texas
If you are seeking a holistic and effective approach to therapy, integrating somatic techniques may be a meaningful option for you. At Acadia Psychotherapy & Associates, we offer a compassionate, individualized approach to care that emphasizes nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, and emotional healing. Our somatic therapy services are designed to support both mental and emotional well-being by addressing the body-mind connection in a safe and thoughtful way.
Invest in Yourself
Your body holds valuable information that can guide healing, growth, and resilience. Somatic therapy helps you reconnect with this inner wisdom and develop greater awareness, regulation, and balance.
We invite you to explore how somatic therapy can support your mental and emotional health. Appointments are available both online and in person, with flexible scheduling options to meet your needs. We proudly offer counseling services in McKinney, Texas.
Do Somatic Techniques Work?
In this video, we explore a somatic techniques that can effectively promote healing by reconnecting the mind and body.
Our therapists incorporate somatic-informed techniques using principles from yoga, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation to support emotional and physical well-being. These practices are intended as supportive tools within therapy.
Have more questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Therapy Techniques
Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a body-based psychotherapy that helps individuals process trauma, release stored tension, and regulate their nervous system. Through mindfulness, gentle movement, and awareness techniques, clients learn to reconnect with their body and cultivate emotional balance.
1
What is somatic therapy?
Who can benefit from somatic therapy?
2
Somatic therapy can benefit anyone experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or emotional overwhelm. It is also highly effective for improving emotional regulation, resilience, and mind-body awareness.
Is somatic therapy safe?
3
Yes. Somatic therapy is safe when conducted by trained, licensed therapists. Sessions are designed to support clients at their own pace, providing a gentle and guided approach to healing.
Sessions may include body awareness exercises, grounding techniques, gentle movement, breathwork, and other evidence-informed practices. They are available both in-person at our McKinney office and virtually across Texas.
4
How are somatic therapy sessions conducted?
The timeline varies depending on each individual’s experiences and needs. Some clients notice positive changes after a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing practice to deepen emotional regulation and mind-body awareness. It also depends on your consistency and personal practice outside of the therapy room.
5
How long does it take to see results?
Disclaimers
While trained in somatics, restorative yoga, nervous system work, and mindful movement, individual results may vary. Participants are responsible for practicing safely and modifying techniques as needed.
Credentials:
Registered Yoga Teacher 200, Yoga Alliance
Chair Yoga Teacher Training
Restorative Yoga Teacher Training & Immersion
Certified Somatics + Nervous System Coach
NeuroFit Practitioner